Categorical Exemption for the Geotechnical Investigation for the City of Palo Alto Project for Grade Separation: Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charlest

The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, in coordination with the City of Palo Alto, is conducting a geotechnical investigation to support the design and cost estimation of grade separation alternatives at Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road crossings. The work includes three rotary wash borings to depths of 50–60 feet and thirteen cone penetration tests to approximately 60 feet, all confined to public right-of-way areas within the City of Palo Alto and outside the Caltrain rail corridor. Vacuum excavation will be used to locate existing utilities before any boring or testing, ensuring no damage to underground infrastructure. All boreholes will be backfilled and the surfaces fully restored to meet City of Palo Alto standards, with no impact to trees, environmental resources, or cultural sites. The collected subsurface data will inform 15 percent design-level evaluations and independent cost estimates, and will further support 35 percent design refinements as required under the Rail Crossing Elimination Grant program. The estimated contract value is $117,740, covering all fieldwork, materials, and restoration activities. Work is scheduled to begin in July 2025 and is expected to be completed within two to three weeks following mobilization. The project is governed by local municipal permits issued by the City of Palo Alto, including Streetwork Permit E25-0106 and Valley Water permits E25-0107 and E25-0108, and must comply with Cal/OSHA regulations, the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and USA (811) utility notification requirements. The contractor, Parikh Consultants, Inc., must hold a valid California C-57 or C-61/D-09 license, maintain active insurance coverage, and submit all documentation electronically through the Palo Alto Online Permitting System. Final inspection and acceptance are the responsibility of the City of Palo Alto’s Public Works Inspector, who will verify adherence to restoration standards and permit conditions on-site. There are no federal contract clauses, options, or special requirements such as security clearances or key personnel designations; the procurement is administered locally under state and municipal authority.